Amherst College vs College of the Holy Cross
Amherst College is a private college in Amherst, MA. College of the Holy Cross is a private college in Worcester, MA. Amherst College admits about 9% of applicants and College of the Holy Cross about 18%, making Amherst College the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $23,367 a year at Amherst College after aid, and about $38,782 at College of the Holy Cross. About 94% of students graduate at Amherst College, compared with 88% at College of the Holy Cross. Ten years after enrolling, College of the Holy Cross alumni earn a median of about $90,543, against $77,644 for Amherst College.
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Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.
- Is Amherst College or College of the Holy Cross harder to get into?
- Amherst College is harder to get into. It admits about 9% of applicants, compared with 18% at College of the Holy Cross. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- Which is cheaper, Amherst College or College of the Holy Cross?
- Amherst College is cheaper on average. Students pay about $23,367 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $38,782 at College of the Holy Cross. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- What is the full cost of attendance at Amherst College and College of the Holy Cross?
- Before aid, College of the Holy Cross costs about $80,334 a year and Amherst College about $87,640. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
- Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Amherst College or College of the Holy Cross?
- Amherst College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $1,086 there, against about $14,343 at College of the Holy Cross. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, Amherst College or College of the Holy Cross?
- College of the Holy Cross is the larger of the two, with about 3,106 undergraduates against 1,911 at Amherst College.
- Does Amherst College or College of the Holy Cross have a better graduation rate?
- Amherst College has the higher graduation rate, at about 94% against 88% at College of the Holy Cross.
- Do graduates of Amherst College or College of the Holy Cross earn more?
- College of the Holy Cross alumni earn more on average: a median of about $90,543 ten years after enrolling, against about $77,644 for Amherst College. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Amherst College and College of the Holy Cross require SAT or ACT scores?
- Amherst College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. College of the Holy Cross is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
- What SAT scores do Amherst College and College of the Holy Cross look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1490–1580 at Amherst College and 1240–1410 at College of the Holy Cross. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
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